Plant Biology (Bachelor of Science)

General Requirements

Specific Requirements

General Plant Biology

This concentration offers broad training at all levels of plant biology ranging from molecular biology to plant communities. Students have the flexibility to study plants from many perspectives and to understand how the diverse areas are interrelated. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, can choose courses that meet their individual needs and interests. Students are encouraged to perform undergraduate research working directly with departmental faculty on laboratory or field projects in plant biology.

In addition to the basic course requirements for the departmental major (listed above), this concentration has the following requirements and electives:

Concentration Electives (eighteen+ credits): At least eighteen credits (including at least two 200-level plant biology courses) selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. An up-to-date list of approved courses for this concentration may be found on the department’s website.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Plants

This concentration offers broad training in organismal biology, with emphasis on population and physiological ecology, community structure and function, and plant evolution and diversity. Students choose from a menu of options in fulfilling most requirements; this flexible curriculum enables students to select from a wide range of courses while achieving proficiency in ecology and evolution of plants. Students are encouraged to initiate an independent research project with a member of the departmental faculty.

In addition to the basic course requirements for the departmental major (listed above), this concentration has the following requirements and electives:

Concentration Electives (fifteen+ credits): At least fifteen credits (including at least one ecology course and two 200-level plant biology courses) selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. An up-to-date list of approved courses for this concentration may be found on the department website.

Plant Molecular Biology

This concentration focuses on the inner workings of plants at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level. Although the basic cellular functions of plants are the same as those of animals, plants face unique challenges and have evolved interesting solutions. To understand the unique biology of plants within a context of what is known about other organisms, courses examining the biochemistry and molecular biology are supplemented by courses on the molecular functions and development of other organisms. In addition to course work, students are encouraged to get hands-on laboratory experience by taking advantage of the many opportunities to participate in independent research with departmental faculty.

In addition to the basic course requirements for the departmental major (see link to Plant Biology Core Courses above) this concentration has the following requirements and electives:

Concentration Electives (twelve+ credits): At least twelve credits (including at least two 100- or 200-level plant biology courses) selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. An up-to-date list of approved courses for this concentration may be found on the department website. To learn more about the undergraduate program, visit the website for The Department of Plant Biology.